Cowlitz, Drano, Wind, SW WA Fishing Report (5-7-12)

Cowlitz River – Best success for spring Chinook was near the salmon hatchery. Some steelhead were also caught, primarily between the hatcheries.

Last week Tacoma Power recovered 515 winter-run steelhead, 123 spring Chinook adults, 14 jacks, and 30 summer-run steelhead during five days of operation at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator.

Through May 4, a total of 563 hatchery and 11 wild adult spring Chinook had returned to the salmon hatchery. The hatchery escapement goal is 1,463 adults. Last year at this time there were 61 hatchery and 2 wild adults.

River flows at Mayfield Dam are approximately 10,300 cubic feet per second on Monday, May 7. Water visibility is eight feet.

Kalama River – Anglers are catching some spring Chinook and steelhead.

Through May 2, a total of 3 hatchery and 1 wild adult spring Chinook had returned to Kalama Falls Hatchery. The hatchery escapement goal is 390 adults. No fish had returned by this time last year.

Lewis River – Some spring Chinook and steelhead are being caught on the lower river but effort and catch on the North Fork remains light. Some anglers, mainly in the mainstem Lewis from the railroad bridge to the mouth of the east fork, are using the new two pole endorsement.

No spring Chinook had returned to the traps through May 4; however river flows have been between 9,000 and 11,000 cfs. the last week and hatchery personnel have not been able to check the Merwin Dam trap since April 27. The hatchery escapement goal is 1,277 adults.

Wind River – Boat anglers at the mouth averaged a spring Chinook kept per every 8.4 rods. Nearly 100 boats were counted there yesterday (Sunday May 6) morning. Some anglers at the mouth are purchasing and using the new two pole endorsement.

Fish have already been counted at the Shipherd Falls trap and some have been reported caught at the coffer dam and in the lower gorge.

Klickitat River – River has cleared and flows have dropped. Light effort though some spring Chinook are being caught.

Mainstem Columbia from Rocky Point/Tongue Point line to I-5 Bridge – Closedto fishing for salmon, steelhead, and shad. Scheduled to reopen May 16 for hatchery steelhead, hatchery Chinook jacks, sockeye, and shad.

Mainstem Columbia from I-5 Bridge to Bonneville Dam – Closedto fishing for salmon, steelhead, and shad. Scheduled to reopen May 16 for shad and June 16 for hatchery steelhead, hatchery chinook, and sockeye.

Mainstem Columbia from Bonneville Dam to the WA/OR border – Now closed for spring Chinook and hatchery steelhead. Scheduled to reopen June 16 for hatchery Chinook, hatchery steelhead, and sockeye.

STURGEON

Lower Columbia below Bonneville Dam – Some legals were caught in the Vancouver and Kalama areas. From the Wauna powerlines downstream, white sturgeon may be retained daily from May 12 through July 8 (or until the quota is met). Daily limit will be 1 fish, min. size 41” fork length and max. 54” fork length.

The Dalles Pool – Not all the data is currently available.

John Day Pool – Boat anglers are catching some legals. Sturgeon may be retained through May 20.

WALLEYE AND BASS

The Dalles Pool – Boat anglers are catching some walleye. Not all the data is currently available.

John Day Pool – Anglers are catching some bass and walleye.

TROUT

Recent plants of catchable size rainbows in SW Washington waters:

Siler Lake (Lewis County) – 1,200 fish May 1

Fort Borst Park Pond near Centralia – 3,000 fish April 30

Lake Sacajawea in Longview – 6,120 fish May 1

Battle Ground Lake – 2,981 fish May 2

THE RAMSEYS HAVE BEEN DOING PRETTY WELL AT ROWLAND LAKE. HERE, MAGGIE SHOWS OFF A NICE STRINGER. (BUZZ RAMSEY)